Maneuver Damage Coordination Support for Fort Polk

The Conservation Program Maneuver Damage Support opportunity is issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, under a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) to identify qualified organizations capable of supporting environmental conservation and land management activities at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Polk, Louisiana. This opportunity is administered under the authority of the Sikes Act and is structured as a cooperative agreement, emphasizing collaboration between federal agencies and eligible partners within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network. Eligibility is restricted to organizations that are members of specified CESU regions, including the Gulf Coast, Great Plains, Great Rivers, and Colorado Plateau regions. The primary purpose of this program is to support the implementation of environmental stewardship and compliance activities associated with military training operations. The project focuses on mitigating and managing environmental impacts caused by maneuver damage during training exercises. Activities align with key environmental frameworks such as the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Management Component, and Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan. The effort ensures that military readiness activities are conducted in accordance with environmental laws while preserving natural and cultural resources. Funding for the base period is approximately $357,659 for a 12-month performance period, with the possibility of additional funding for optional tasks and follow-on work across up to four additional 12-month periods. The agreement includes both required and optional tasks, with Task 1 (Maneuver Damage Collaboration and Facilitation) funded annually, and Tasks 2 through 5 (including technician support, database management, and vehicle support) awarded based on need and funding availability. The cooperative nature of the agreement includes substantial involvement from the government, including collaboration in methodology, data analysis, and reporting, as well as provision of resources such as workspace and equipment. Eligible applicants must demonstrate qualifications through a Statement of Interest rather than a full proposal at this stage. The submission must include organizational details, a statement of qualifications, descriptions of relevant past projects, personnel expertise, and available resources. The Statement of Interest is limited to two pages and serves as a screening mechanism to identify organizations that will be invited to submit full proposals. Evaluation criteria include alignment with program objectives, qualifications of the principal investigator, and demonstrated capability to perform the required work. The submission deadline for Statements of Interest is May 28, 2026, at noon Central Time. Questions must be submitted by May 7, 2026. Applications are submitted via email to designated USACE contacts. Following submission, responses are reviewed by a panel to determine which organizations will be invited to submit full proposals. The review process includes a mandatory 30-day posting period on Grants.gov prior to final selection. Applicants must also meet cybersecurity compliance requirements, including an active NIST SP 800-171 Department of Defense assessment. The period of performance begins no later than June 12, 2026, and extends for one year, with potential continuation for up to five total years. Deliverables include extensive reporting, environmental monitoring, data collection, and coordination activities, as detailed in the Statement of Objectives. The program emphasizes long-term collaboration, technical expertise, and adaptive management to support both military operations and environmental sustainability goals. Key contacts include a Grants Specialist and Project Manager within the USACE Fort Worth District, who oversee administration and coordination of the program.

Focus on demonstrating directly relevant environmental and technical experience; highlight prior federal or military-related work; ensure CESU membership is clearly documented; align qualifications with stated tasks and objectives